Pela Fe...

By: Cynthia R. Palmer

Dizer o que? A Palavra diz tudo! Leia, medite e viva!

HEBREUS 11

¹Ora, a fé é o firme fundamento das coisas que se esperam, e a prova das coisas que não se vêem.

²Porque por ela os antigos alcançaram bom testemunho.
³Pela fé entendemos que os mundos foram criados pela palavra de Deus; de modo que o visível não foi feito daquilo que se vê.
⁴Pela fé Abel ofereceu a Deus mais excelente sacrifício que Caim, pelo qual alcançou testemunho de que era justo, dando Deus testemunho das suas oferendas, e por meio dela depois de morto, ainda fala.
⁵Pela fé Enoque foi trasladado para não ver a morte; e não foi achado, porque Deus o trasladara; pois antes da sua trasladação alcançou testemunho de que agradara a Deus.
⁶Ora, sem fé é impossível agradar a Deus; porque é necessário que aquele que se aproxima de Deus creia que ele existe, e que é galardoador dos que o buscam.
⁷Pela fé Noé, divinamente avisado das coisas que ainda não se viam, sendo temente a Deus, preparou uma arca para o salvamento da sua família; e por esta fé condenou o mundo, e tornou-se herdeiro da justiça que é segundo a fé.
⁸Pela fé Abraão, sendo chamado, obedeceu, saindo para um lugar que havia de receber por herança; e saiu, sem saber para onde ia.
⁹Pela fé peregrinou na terra da promessa, como em terra alheia, habitando em tendas com Isaque e Jacó, herdeiros com ele da mesma promessa;
¹⁰porque esperava a cidade que tem os fundamentos, da qual o arquiteto e edificador é Deus.
¹¹Pela fé, até a própria Sara recebeu a virtude de conceber um filho, mesmo fora da idade, porquanto teve por fiel aquele que lho havia prometido.
¹²Pelo que também de um, e esse já amortecido, descenderam tantos, em multidão, como as estrelas do céu, e como a areia inumerável que está na praia do mar.
¹³Todos estes morreram na fé, sem terem alcançado as promessas; mas tendo-as visto e saudado, de longe, confessaram que eram estrangeiros e peregrinos na terra.
¹⁴Ora, os que tais coisas dizem, mostram que estão buscando uma pátria.
¹⁵E se, na verdade, se lembrassem daquela donde haviam saído, teriam oportunidade de voltar.
¹⁶Mas agora desejam uma pátria melhor, isto é, a celestial. Pelo que também Deus não se envergonha deles, de ser chamado seu Deus, porque já lhes preparou uma cidade.
¹⁷Pela fé Abraão, sendo provado, ofereceu Isaque; sim, ia oferecendo o seu unigênito aquele que recebera as promessas,
¹⁸e a quem se havia dito: Em Isaque será chamada a tua descendência,
¹⁹julgando que Deus era poderoso para até dos mortos o ressuscitar; e daí também em figura o recobrou.
²⁰Pela fé Isaque abençoou Jacó e a Esaú, no tocante as coisas futuras.
²¹Pela fé Jacó, quando estava para morrer, abençoou cada um dos filhos de José, e adorou, inclinado sobre a extremidade do seu bordão.
²²Pela fé José, estando próximo o seu fim, fez menção da saída dos filhos de Israel, e deu ordem acerca de seus ossos.
²³Pela fé Moisés, logo ao nascer, foi escondido por seus pais durante três meses, porque viram que o menino era formoso; e não temeram o decreto do rei.
²⁴Pela fé Moisés, sendo já homem, recusou ser chamado filho da filha de Faraó,
²⁵escolhendo antes ser maltratado com o povo de Deus do que ter por algum tempo o gozo do pecado,
²⁶tendo por maiores riquezas o opróbrio de Cristo do que os tesouros do Egito; porque tinha em vista a recompensa.
²⁷Pela fé deixou o Egito, não temendo a ira do rei; porque ficou firme, como quem vê aquele que é invisível.
²⁸Pela fé celebrou a páscoa e a aspersão do sangue, para que o destruidor dos primogênitos não lhes tocasse.
²⁹Pela fé os israelitas atravessaram o Mar Vermelho, como por terra seca; e tentando isso os egípcios, foram afogados.
³⁰Pela fé caíram os muros de Jericó, depois de rodeados por sete dias.
³¹Pela fé Raabe, a meretriz, não pereceu com os desobedientes, tendo acolhido em paz os espias.
³²E que mais direi? Pois me faltará o tempo, se eu contar de Gideão, de Baraque, de Sansão, de Jefté, de Davi, de Samuel e dos profetas;
³³os quais por meio da fé venceram reinos, praticaram a justiça, alcançaram promessas, fecharam a boca dos leões,
³⁴apagaram a força do fogo, escaparam ao fio da espada, da fraqueza tiraram forças, tornaram-se poderosos na guerra, puseram em fuga exércitos estrangeiros.
³⁵As mulheres receberam pela ressurreição os seus mortos; uns foram torturados, não aceitando o seu livramento, para alcançarem uma melhor ressurreição;
³⁶e outros experimentaram escárnios e açoites, e ainda cadeias e prisões.
³⁷Foram apedrejados e tentados; foram serrados ao meio; morreram ao fio da espada; andaram vestidos de peles de ovelhas e de cabras, necessitados, aflitos e maltratados
³⁸(dos quais o mundo não era digno), errantes pelos desertos e montes, e pelas covas e cavernas da terra.
³⁹E todos estes, embora tendo recebido bom testemunho pela fé, contudo não alcançaram a promessa;
⁴⁰visto que Deus provera alguma coisa melhor a nosso respeito, para que eles, sem nós, não fossem aperfeiçoados.

Que Deus possa abencoar sua vida te dando FE e FE para viver a Sua Palavra,

Cynthia Palmer

By Faith

Hebrews 11

By Faith We Understand

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”;^[a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
⁷ By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham

⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child^[b] when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,^[c] embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ¹⁵ And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸ of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”^{[d] 19} concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
²² By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

²³ By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
²⁴ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in^[e] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. ³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
³² And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,^[f] were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
³⁹ And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, ⁴⁰ God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

May God bless your faith,

Cynthia Palmer

Patience

This is one of the things the Lord has been dealing with me :"BE PATIENT" and I am very thankful that He is for I want to be an overcomer in every weakness that I may have in my soul that can hinder the fullness of Christ in my life. I want to have all the fruits of the Spirit and exercise them well. So, this is actually a study I am doing for myself about patience and I am sharing with you.

What does Patience mean? (wikipedia)

Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. Patience is the level of endurance one's character can take before negativity. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast.

Galatians 5:19-26

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,^[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders,^[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Can you already identify in you if you are crucified for the flesh or not? If patience (longsuffering) is a FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, it means I need to have the Spirit of God in order to have TRUE LONGSUFFERING! It means that without the Spirit there is NO FRUIT! It means that if I am lacking in any of these gifts, I still need to crucify my flesh and DIE to myself in order to have His fruits in me! So simple, but so deep this truth !!!! Let us face it in order to be delivered from the works of the flesh. Because the scriptures say that if we bear NO FRUIT we will be CUT OFF! So, better to face what you must change now while there is still time!!!

Romans 8:25 (New Interlinear Greek-English Bible)

But if we hope for what we do not see, through patience we eagerly expect.

Patience in this verse means: 5281. hupomone hoop-om-on-ay' from 5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:--enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

So, if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly expect it cheerful, patiently, enduring whatever we need until we can touch it and see it! :-) Aleluia Jesus! :-)

Romans 15:4-6 (New Interlinear Greek-English Bible)

⁴ For whatever things were written before were written for our instruction, that through patience (5281) and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. And may the God of patience and encouragement give to you to mind the same among one another according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ that with one accord and with one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Just God can give us patience, nobody else! And you also see in these verses that even to have HOPE you need to have patience and you also need to encourage yourself through studying the Scriptures. In conclusio: To expect things with confidence you must have patience and also study the Scriptures.

What is hope? (wikipedia)

Hope is the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life.^[1] It is the "feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best" or the act of "look[ing] forward to with desire and reasonable confidence" or "feel[ing] that something desired may happen". ^[2] Other definitions are "to cherish a desire with anticipation"; "to desire with expectation of obtainment"; or "to expect with confidence".

2 Cor 1:1-6  (New King James Version)

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. ⁶ Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring (5281) the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Here Paul is explaining that he and his companions suffered greatly in order to bring "comfort and salvation" for the Corinthians. The "sufferings of Christ" are the ones we suffer also to do ministry and also the ones we suffer to be like Him, like His image. But just as Christ comforted them, God would also comfort the Corinthian believers ( and also us today) when we suffer for our faith and to be like Christ as well. God gives us strength to endure all the trials and tribulations. He blesses us with comfort, strength and patience, so we may also comfort, be strong and patient with others.

2 Cor 6:4-10

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience (5281), in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, ⁵ in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; ⁶ by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, ⁷ by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸ by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Paul always considered what his actions communicated about Jesus Christ and we should also consider how we act and react to everything in our lives so we may be like Christ and never make people reject Christ. If we are always short in patience, people will perceive that , it will communicate that you are lacking in something in your walk with Christ. The scriptures say that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, so we must seek God's face in order to be helped in everything we ourselves cannot figure out or destroy the root!

James 5:7-12

⁷ Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. ⁸ You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
⁹ Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned.^[c] Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! ¹⁰ My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. ¹¹ Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Even to wait for the Lord's return we must be patient! :-) We have the examples of the prophets and Job to follow! Even the farmers have to wait so patiently for their crops to grow. They cannot rush the growing of the fruits, vegetables, etc....they must wait for the right time and we must wait the time of the Lord for everything in our lives as well IF we want our lives to be led by Him! We have a bunch of examples in the scriptures of patience, suffering, persecution and we should follow the example of the prophets, our brother Job and many others, for the end intended by the Lord for us is always perfect!

1 Peter 2:20-22

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently (see below: 5278), this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,^[f] leaving us^[g] an example, that you should follow His steps:
²² “ Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;^[h]

5278. hupomeno hoop-om-en'-o from 5259 and 3306; to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere:--abide, endure, (take) patient(-ly), suffer, tarry behind.  

Note that not every time you do good you are going to receive a positive response, Jesus only did good, therefore many hated Him, many persecuted Him, but not because He was a bad man, but because He was speaking what the Father was telling Him to speak! The truth alone will be the reason why many will hate you, many will persecute you, many will not want to be near you, many will despise you, but if you do good and suffer patiently, this is commendable before God. Never give up following Christ's example!

Romans 12:10-12

¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient (enduring -5278) in tribulation(in trouble -see below: 2347), continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

2347. thlipsis thlip'-sis from 2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):--afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

We are called by God to endure pressure, anguish, burdens, persecutions, tribulations, troubles. And who likes all these things? If we could escape all of them we would, wouldn't we? But the Lord is calling us to follow His footsteps, His example. He endured all things, He overcame the world, and we can too IN HIM!

1 Cor 13:4-7

⁴ Love suffers long (see below: 3114) and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.    

3114. makrothumeo mak-roth-oo-meh'-o from the same as 3116; to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient:--bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure.

Note that if you are not patient with the ones you say you love, your love is stained and needs to be cleansed, the love inside your heart needs to be worked out by God in a way that you will have patience even when the love you give you receive nothing in return! This is the love Christ teaches us! He first loved ones when we were still in sin.

2 Tim 2:24

²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient (see below: 420), ²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

420. anexikakos an-ex-ik'-ak-os from 430 and 2556; enduring of ill, i.e. forbearing:--patient.

There is no servant of the Lord that knows nothing about suffering! If you have never suffered being in Christ, it means you are not a disciple of Christ, you are not following Christ's footsteps!

1 Thessalonians 5:14

¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient (3114) with all.

2 Peter 3:9

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering (3114)toward us,^[b] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Proverbs 14:29

²⁹ He who is slow (H750)  to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive^[c] exalts folly. 

750 'arek aw-rake' from 748; long:--long(-suffering, -winged), patient, slow (to anger).

Proverbs 15:18

¹⁸ A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow (H750)to anger allays  (H8252)contention. 

allays = 8252 shaqat shaw-kat' a primitive root; to repose (usually figurative):--appease, idleness, (at, be at, be in, give) quiet(-ness), (be at, be in, give, have, take) rest, settle, be still.

Proverbs 16:32

³² He who is slow(H750) to anger is better than the mighty (H1368) , And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 

 We can clearly see that the man who is patient to wrath has great understanding, quiets the contentions and is better than the powerful and the strong!

Luke 2:25

²⁵ And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting (4327) for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

4327. prosdechomai pros-dekh'-om-ahee from 4314 and 1209; to admit (to intercourse, hospitality, credence, or (figuratively) endurance); by implication, to await (with confidence or patience):--accept, allow, look (wait) for, take.

2 Timothy 3:10-12

¹⁰ But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering (see below: 3115), love, perseverance (see above: 5281), ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

3115. makrothumia mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah from the same as 3116; longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude:--longsuffering, patience.

Hebrews 6:13-15

¹³ For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”^{[d] 15} And so, after he had patiently endured (3114), he obtained the promise.

Revelation 1:9

   ⁹ I, John, both^[e] your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

In brief, we see that to be patient is not an option if you are in Christ, you must be patient, you must endure tribulation, you must endure pressure, you must be an overcomer, you must have the fruits of the Spirit! You must overcome the world, the flesh, the lusts, the pride, we must endure temptations, we must pass the tests and trials otherwise they will come back for us to be able to overcome them if we really want to be holy! So, do not be surprised if you are asking the Lord to  be like Him and have His fruits bore in you and you start facing everything that takes your patience away! This is the work of God to make you an overcomer, to deliver you! Remember that!

I pray that the Lord may grant me and you patience, endurance, forebearing in everything we still don't like, we still feel pricked in our flesh with, that we still need to be worked on for us not to be anyhow hindered to have the fullness of Christ in us and for us to never be an obstacle for anybody's salvation!

In Christ's love,

Cynthia Palmer

Hypocrisy and Hypocrites

I would like to share one of the things that Jesus rebuked harshly and directly, without fear of men and without compromising the word of God and it was called: Hypocrisy and/or Hypocrites. Let us go directly to the point of what these words mean:

Hypocrisy

5272. hupokrisis hoop-ok'-ree-sis from 5271; acting under a feigned part, i.e. (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy"):--condemnation, dissimulation, hypocrisy.

Hypocrite

5273. hupokrites hoop-ok-ree-tace' from 5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite":--hypocrite.

We normally use the word "pharisee" to describe a person who calls himself a christian but they just act like if they were christians, but in reality do not live like a true disciple of  Jesus Christ at all. The pharisees were actually Jewish religious people who were supposed to obey the law given by God to Moses. So, let us check what this word means as well:

Pharisee

5330. Pharisaios far-is-ah'-yos of Hebrew origin (compare 6567 ) ,a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary:--Pharisee.

Wikipedia - from Hebrew פְּרוּשִׁים pĕrûšîm, pl. of פָּרוּשׁ pārûš, meaning “set apart);


Let us check the scriptures why Jesus rebuked the hypocrites so harshly:

Matthew 23:1-5 ; 13-16 ; 23-28 ; 29-36

 ¹ Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, ² saying: “The scribes ( 1122. grammateus gram-mat-yooce' from 1121. a writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary:--scribe, town-clerk. )  and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ Therefore whatever they tell you to observe,^[a]that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. ⁴ For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. ⁵ But all their works they do to be seen by men.

¹³ “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. ¹⁴ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.^[c]
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
¹⁶ “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’

²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. ²⁴ Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.^{[f] 26} Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
²⁷ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. ²⁸ Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.    

Verse 28

The word hypocrisy in this verse is-  5212. humeteros hoo-met'-er-os from 5210; yours, i.e. pertaining to you:--your (own).

The word lawlessness is-  458. anomia an-om-ee'-ah from 459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness:--iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.

²⁹ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, ³⁰ and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’
³¹ “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. ³³ Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? ³⁴ Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, ³⁵ that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶ Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Matthew 6: 1- 8 ; 16-18

¹ “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ² Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ³ But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.<sup>[a]


5</sup> “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.^{[b] 7} And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

¹⁶ “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.^[d]

Matthew 7:1-5

¹ “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 15:7-9 ; 15-20 Jesus speaking:

 ⁷ Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
⁸ ‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And^[e]honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
⁹ And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”<sup>[f]

15</sup> Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
¹⁶ So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? ¹⁷ Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? ¹⁸ But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. ²⁰ These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Matthew 22:17-18

¹⁷ Tell us (pharisees), therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
¹⁸ But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?

Luke 12: 1-3 ; 56

¹ In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. ³ Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

⁵⁶ Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

Luke 13:14-17

¹⁴ But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”
¹⁵ The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite!^[b] Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? ¹⁶ So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” ¹⁷ And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

Romans 12:9

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy (dissimulation). Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

hypocrisy in this verse is dissimulation:

505. anupokritos an-oo-pok'-ree-tos from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 5271; undissembled, i.e. sincere:--without dissimulation (hypocrisy), unfeigned.

1 Timothy 1:5

⁵ Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith (unpretended faith, without dissimulation - greek: 505)

1 Timothy 4:2

¹ Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy (strong's number: 5272- see above), having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

1 Peter 2:1-3 (Interlinear Greek English Bible)

¹ Then, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies (5272), and envies, and all evil words, ² as newborn babes, desire the pure soul-nourishing milk , that you may grow by it,  if indeed you tasted that the Lord is good.

Concluding, we clearly see in the scriptures that Jesus does not want us just obeying words written as a tradition, a ritual or a habit, but He wants us to obey His commands with all the love in our hearts, we must obey Him from the heart, not just because somebody is demanding you to do so! Or just for men to see what you are doing for Christ or people! Hypocrites today are those who even preach and teach the word of God but they themselves do not obey it! Let us not deceive ourselves, but let us obey God with all our hearts, souls and minds and LIVE the abundant life that Christ has for us on the earth and in heaven!

We must know that to be a real disciple of Christ envolves dying to self, to your own will, envolves suffering, persecution, sincerity, prayer, fastings, reading and obeying the scriptures and have much pure love in order to overcome the world, the flesh and satan and to grow into maturity with Christ.

I pray that you may NOT be found a hypocrite, BUT a faithful servant of Jesus Christ filled with His Holy Spirit and dressed spiritually with the full armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.


May God bless all those who truly walk in Him and grant repentance to those who are hypocrites,

Cynthia R. Palmer

Mulheres no Episcopado?

Por: Tyrone D. Palmer

Traducao: Cynthia R. Palmer
This message is also written in English on July 2nd, 2011
Sábado 2 de julho de 2011

Bispas ou Superintendentes do sexo feminino? O que a Palavra de Deus diz?

Depois de muita oração, jejum, fazendo perguntas ao Senhor, procurando outros sites, e recebendo a correção do Espírito Santo eu vim a entender que as palavras que Paulo escreveu em 1 Timóteo 2:8-15 sobre mulheres em cargos de bispas ou superintendentes e em posicao de ensinar homens  é verdade e aplica-se ao corpo de Cristo hoje. Ele não estava apenas dando sua opinião sobre esse assunto na igreja, e não foi escrito somente para aqueles na cultura de sua época.

Muitas vezes usamos 2 Timóteo 3:16-17 para validar uma escritura particular ou crença que nós
sentimos ser bem forte , mas quando se trata do que Paulo escreveu sobre as mulheres ensinando aos homens e exercendo autoridade sobre eles, muitos tentam explicar o que foi escrito ou evitam as escrituras completamente. Mas o Senhor me chamou para falar sobre este assunto e  é exatamente o que vou fazer pela unção de Seu Espírito, Sua Palavra, e minha compreensão atual das escrituras inspiradas. Este não foi um caminho fácil para mim e eu lutei com esta palavra, sei que pode ofender alguns, mas devo obedecer a Deus e não a homens. Saiba que eu apresento esta verdade com o amor que Cristo tem derramado em meu coração através de Seu Espírito, e lembre-se que o verdadeiro amor fala a verdade, mesmo quando você sabe que haverá discordância, reprovação e perseguição, mas fazer a vontade do Pai é de maior importância para mim.

Nesta mensagem eu estarei utilizando minha Bíblia chamada: A Bíblia Interlinear Grego -Inglês Novo Testamento Vol IV (The Interlinear Bible Greek-English New Testament Vol IV) para citações de escrituras, já que esta Bíblia oferece a tradução mais exata do texto original.

Agora, vamos verificar as escrituras em;

 1 Timóteo 2:8-15

Quero, pois, que os homens orem em todo lugar, levantando mãos santas, sem ira e sem contenda. Quero, do mesmo modo, que as mulheres se ataviem com trajes decentes, com modéstia  e  sobriedade, não com tranças, ou com ouro, ou pérolas, ou vestidos custosos, mas (como convém a mulheres que fazem profissão de servir a Deus) com boas obras. A mulher aprenda em silêncio com toda a submissão. Pois não permito que a mulher ensine, nem tenha domínio(exercer autoridade)  sobre o homem, mas que esteja em silêncio. Porque primeiro foi formado Adão, depois Eva. E Adão não foi enganado, mas a mulher, sendo enganada, caiu em transgressão; salvar-se-á, todavia, dando a luz filhos, se permanecer com sobriedade na fé, no amor e na santificação.

*sem contenda- sem discussao, sem duvidar
*trajes decentes - kosmios - de bom comportamento, decente
*modéstia - (aos homens) modesto, (a Deus) reverente, sem causar vergonha
*sobriedade - sóbrio (natural, sem complicação,simples,reservado, moderado)
*salvar-se-á - será salva, preservada,protegida, curada, irá bem

A palavra "silencio" aqui é a palavra grega hesuchia (2271) . hesuchia feno-soo-khee' ah-feminino de 2272; (como substantivo) quietude, desistência de linguagem : -. silêncio sossego.

O que eu estava pedindo a Deus quando o Espírito Santo trouxe estas escrituras para mim foi, "Essas escrituras significam exatamente o que elas dizem? Se aplicam ao corpo de Cristo hoje? Se "toda a Escritura é inspirada por Deus e proveitosa para ensinar, para repreender, para corrigir, para instruir em justiça, de modo que o homem de Deus seja perfeito, totalmente habilitado para toda boa obra ", então essas escrituras significam exatamente o que elas dizem, e elas podem ser aplicadas ao corpo de Cristo (aos santos).

Observe a explicação que Paulo deu do porque ele não permitiu que as mulheres ensinarem ou exercerem autoridade sobre os homens, ele percorreu todo o o caminho de volta para Genesis e Adão e Eva. Este é o lugar onde encontramos o decreto que Deus mesmo fez a Eva (e a cada mulher depois de Eva) por causa do que ela fez.

Gênesis 3:16

E  amulher disse: Multiplicarei grandemente a dor da tua conceição; em dor darás `a luz filhos; e o teu desejo será para o teu marido, e ele te dominará.
" A palavra 'dominara' aqui é a palavra grega Kurieuo (2961). kurieuo ko-ree-yoo'-o a partir de 2962; a regra : - -ter domínio sobre, senhor, ser senhor de, exercer domínio sobre.

Deus tem voltado atrás em Sua palavra? Será que Ele mudou de idéia depois de alguns milênios e decidiu: "Bem, ja foi suficiente o tempo em que mulheres ficaram sem exercer dominio sobre os homens, entao agora as mulheres devem ir em frente e domimarem sobre os homens e terem autoridade sobre eles na Igreja"? Será que nos perdemos esta proclamação? Sabemos que é impossível para Deus mentir e Ele não mudou sua mente ou Sua palavra!

Quando Paulo escreveu em 1 Timóteo 2:12-15 ele estava apenas reiterando o que Deus já havia dito no livro do Gênesis. E para nos ajudar a compreender que o que Paulo escreveu é verdade , veja o que ele disse nos versículos 5-7

"Porque há um só Deus, e um só Mediador entre Deus e os homens, Cristo Jesus, homem, o qual se deu a si mesmo em resgate por todos, para servir de testemunho a seu tempo; para o que (digo a verdade, não minto) eu fui constituído pregador e apóstolo, mestre dos gentios na fé e na verdade".

 Em Apocalipse 2:18-20 O próprio Jesus confirma a palavra que Paulo deu a respeito das mulheres ensinando na assembléia.

"Ao anjo da igreja em Tiatira escreve: Isto diz o Filho de Deus, que tem os olhos como chama de fogo, e os pés semelhantes a latão reluzente: Conheço as tuas obras, e o teu amor, e a tua fé, e o teu serviço, e a tua perseverança, e sei que as tuas últimas obras são mais numerosas que as primeiras. Mas tenho contra ti que toleras a mulher Jezabel, que se diz profetisa; ela ensina e seduz os meus servos a se prostituírem e a comerem das coisas sacrificdas a ídolos;... "

Estas escrituras nos dizem que a igreja em Tiatira no primeiro século tinha uma mulher chamada Jezabel, que chamava-se de profetisa e ensinava na congregacao, ela seduziu-os e levou-os a fornicar e a comer sacrifícios a ídolos. Jesus tinha isso contra a igreja e os advertiu sobre isso. Esta verdade 
diretamente de Jesus nos permite saber que as mulheres não têm permissão para ensinar os homens na igreja.

1 Timóteo 3:1-13

Fiel é esta palavra: Se alguém aspira ao episcopado, excelente obra deseja. É necessário, pois, que o bispo seja irrepreensível, marido de uma só mulher, temperante, sóbrio, ordeiro, hospitaleiro, apto para ensinar; não dado ao vinho, não espancador, mas moderado, inimigo de contendas, não ganancioso; que governe bem a sua própria casa, tendo seus filhos em sujeição, com todo o respeito (pois, se alguém não sabe governar a sua própria casa, como cuidará da igreja de Deus?); não neófito (novo convertido), para que não se ensoberbeça e venha a cair na condenação do Diabo. Também é necessário que tenha bom testemunho dos que estão de fora, para que não caia em opróbrio, e no laço do Diabo. Da mesma forma os diáconos sejam sérios, não de língua dobre, não dados a muito vinho, não cobiçosos de torpe ganância, guardando o mistério da fé numa consciência pura. E também estes sejam primeiro provados, depois exercitem o diaconato, se forem irrepreensíveis. Da mesma sorte as mulheres sejam reverentes, não maldizentes (nao acusem falsamente), temperantes, e fiéis em tudo. Os diáconos sejam maridos de uma só mulher, e governem bem a seus filhos e suas próprias casas. Porque os que servirem bem como diáconos, adquirirão para si um lugar honroso e muita confiança na fé que há em Cristo Jesus.

A primeira coisa que é muito clara sobre bispos e diáconos é que eles devem ser maridos de uma só mulher, esta verdade exclui as mulheres de serem bispos e diáconos na igreja.

O que é um bispo?

1985. episkopos ep-is'-kop-os a partir de 1909 e 4649 (no sentido de 1983 ); um superintendente , ou seja, oficial cristao no comando de um caso genitivo (ou a) igreja (literal ou figurativamente):. - superintendente ,bispo.

O que é um diácono?

1249. diakonos dee-ak'-on-os , provavelmente, a partir de um diako obsoletos (para rodar em recados; comparar 1377); um atendente , ou seja, (caso genitivo) garçom (na mesa ou em outras tarefas braçais); -. diácono, ministro, servo.

O que o Senhor me mostrou ao longo dos últimos anos anos no deserto é que Ele não escolhe sexo feminino para serem superintendentes e ensinar toda a assembleia ou para estar em posições de autoridade sobre os homens.

Eu nao estou dizendo que as mulheres não são chamadas por Deus, ou que nao tenham dom ou dons do Espírito, elas definitivamente sao chamadas por Deus, mas elas não são chamadas para ser apóstolos, evangelistas, pastores , professores, bispos (supervisores) , anciãos ou diáconos.

Mulheres são chamadas para serem profetas como minha esposa Cynthia foi escolhida pelo Senhor para este oficio, mas profetas não supervisionam a igreja e como uma mulher ela não pode ensinar ou exercer autoridade sobre homens.

De acordo com 1Corinthians 14:1-5 profetas trazem edificação, exortação e conforto para o corpo de Cristo. Eles também podem receber sonhos, visões, detalhes específicos da vida de uma pessoa, e  profecias de eventos futuros, etc ..

 "Segui o amor; e procurai com zelo os dons espirituais, mas principalmente o de profetizar.Porque o que fala em língua não fala aos homens, mas a Deus; pois ninguém o entende; porque em espírito fala mistérios. Mas o que profetiza fala aos homens para edificação, exortação e consolação. O que fala em língua edifica-se a si mesmo, mas o que profetiza edifica a igreja. Ora, quero que todos vós faleis em línguas, mas muito mais que profetizeis, pois quem profetiza é maior do que aquele que fala em línguas, a não ser que também intercede para que a igreja receba edificação. "

Em conclusão, Deus decretou que o homem seria o cabeça da mulher e que ele governaria sobre ela. As escrituras nos ensinam como um marido deve amar e tratar sua mulher, assim como Cristo amou a igreja e a si mesmo se entregou por ela, que é um padrão muito alto para atender, mas é possível com a ajuda do Espírito Santo. Por outro lado, as mulheres são chamadas a submeter-se aos seus maridos como ao Senhor e respeitá-los, isso pode ser muito difícil para as mulheres fazerem quando os homens que as dominam abusam delas, etc ..

Muito proximo esta o dia em que Jesus vai restaurar a Sua igreja, Seu corpo, à maneira como Ele projetou e ordenou que ele seja. É bastante óbvio para todos que a igreja que vemos hoje está fora de ordem e não está funcionando do jeito que Deus ordenou que fosse. Quanto mais cedo todos nós nos submetermos e humilharmos-nos à Sua vontade e Sua palavra,  mais cedo veremos a glória e o poder de Deus no meio da assembléia mais uma vez!

Eu encorajo todos vocês a esta verdade e a orar e jejuar sobre este assunto, obter a confirmação do Senhor, buscá-Lo com todo seu coração e Ele será encontrado por você. Este é realmente um tema que pode dividir o corpo e os gêneros, mas Deus quer ordem, unidade, e paz no corpo de Cristo. E Ele terá uma noiva sem mancha e sem mácula preparada para Seu Filho Jesus.

Com todo o amor e verdade,

Tyrone

What Is A Christian?

To answer this question let’s take a look at the Greek definition of the word for ‘Christian’.

5546. Christianos khris-tee-an-os' from 5547; a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:--Christian.

So a Christian is one who follows Christ.

The word ‘Disciple’ means:

3101. mathetes math-ay-tes' from 3129; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple.

Acts 11:25-26

“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

A Disciple or Christian is one who is a learner and follower of Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave everyone conditions to meet in order to be His disciple. Let’s take a look at them.

Mark 8:34-38

“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

A condition we must meet if we desire to follow Jesus is to deny ourselves, and what does it mean to deny yourself?

It means to disown your very life and surrender it to Jesus. And taking your cross means to willingly die to self, to sacrifice and give up your life everyday to follow Jesus and do the will of God, not your own.

Luke 9:23-26

“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”

To follow Jesus requires a daily sacrifice of your life, time, and resources.

Luke 14:25-33

“Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

Another condition that we must meet in order to be a disciple of Jesus is not to put anyone or anything above Him.

The word ‘hate’ used in the above scriptures means:

3404. miseo mis-eh'-o from a primary misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:--hate(-ful).

If we do not abandon, let go of, and forsake every possession we own in this life we cannot be His disciple.

Matthew 10:34:39

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

John 14:21,23

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me."

Jesus made it absolutely clear what a Christian is, and if we don’t meet His conditions and keep His commandments, then we cannot follow Him, we do not love Him, we will not be worthy of Him, and in the end we will lose our very souls.

Here is a link to an excellent message that goes even deeper into what it means to deny yourself and take up your cross.

http://www.buildinghishouse.org/articles/denyself.shtml

With Love,
Tyrone